Brexit: UK’s ‘Preferential Treatment’ concerning trading goods with the EU is soon over!

Latest in not so breaking news, this isn’t a newsflash. Not for some of us. Certainly the United Kingdom, Her Majesties Government should be aware, but they are dodging this sort of thing every single time. Tories Government and the negotiation team is winding down and looking at the world upside down. Trying to configure itself to its reality, without looking at the scripture on the wall. However, that has been impossible from the Brexiteers and the closes allies of the Tories. They have been thinking everything will be smooth and not cost the UK anything.

I hate to say this. If you believed anything of the smooth and soft Brexits existing. Your wrong. Your boat left for the high seas. That just sat there at the dry-dock awaiting orders and hire people to travel to the destination. However, that never happen, as the empty promises left you and the remaining crew left behind at port. That is what the Tories Government has done to you.

Your will not be special, you will not be somebody who the European Union looks differently at. The United Kingdom is the ugly duckling of Europe. The UK will not be getting Preferential Treatment by the EU. That is what the European Commission wrote in a notice on the 4th June 2018 named: “NOTICE TO STAKEHOLDERS WITHDRAWAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND EU RULES IN THE FIELD OF CUSTOMS AND EXTERNAL TRADE – PREFERENTIAL ORIGIN OF GOODS”.

The signs of the wall is here:

Goods exported from the EU:

As of the withdrawal date, an EU FTA partner country may consider that goods having an EU preferential origin before the withdrawal date no longer qualify at the moment of their importation in that third country, due to United Kingdom inputs not being considered as ‘EU content’. As of the withdrawal date, in case of verification of the origin of goods exported to a third country under preferential treatment, the exporters in the EU-27 may, upon request from that third country, have to prove the EU origin of the goods taking into account that United Kingdom inputs no longer account as ‘EU content’.

Goods imported into the EU:

United Kingdom inputs incorporated in goods obtained in third countries with which the EU has preferential trade arrangements and imported into the EU as of the withdrawal date will be ‘non-originating’, in particular in a context of cumulation of origin with the EU. As of the withdrawal date, in case of verification of the origin of goods imported into the EU, exporters in third countries may have to prove the EU preferential origin of the imported goods” (European Commission, P: 3, 04.06.2018).

This here is saying what is expected. That the business side of the UK will be hit. The financial services of London will be hit. The export and the producing part of the UK will be hit. Especially the parts that is manufactured for the European Common Market. The Traders and Importers that is based in the United Kingdom. Will have to comply with a Third-Country standards and will not be treated as Member State. This means the cost, the labeling and the ways of trading will differ. When your outside, your really outside and has to do it differently.

This sort of treatment of the UK will also hit the businesses from the EU, which is working directly and have their majority of operation within UK. That is why some are moving out from the UK to secure their place in the EU. Like some moves to Germany or Ireland. To get the same secure place and secure their trading, their liabilities and their ability to trade on the same grounds as they did from London today. Which they will not be able to do as the Brexit is nearing.

This here is a business hit, this here is going at the currency and at the core of the cash-flow of the United Kingdom. This is really showing that the UK cannot get their soft-Brexit. That is impossible, because this is really showing the reality of trading. That the boarders and the customs will be harder, as the origin and the tariffs will hit the fan. They are outsider, not an insider in the Union. That has a price.

That most of us anticipated, but the Tories haven’t, if they have been deliberately blind, then they have cheated the public and they will pay. As this is destroying the ability of businesses, trading goods and will also affect other industries. They are not just toying around in Brussels. They are really showing the reality, which the Tories doesn’t want the public to know. Peace.

Lack of Due Diligence on the Exercise Duty Amendment Bill of 2018!

The nine page memo on the Exercise Duty Bill Amendment of 2018 is an insult to everyone who cares about governance. The leaked Report from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Is really just a carbon copy of the initial taxes and rubber stamping the bill without any considerable efforts, arguments or questions to the new taxes.

It is weird that the MoFPED can get away with lax work and lack of work ethic, lack of reasonable numbers and crunches of statistics. Proof that this is actually good for society, that the new taxes on Mobil Communications, Mobile Money and Cooking Oil is of an calibre good. Alas, that is not the case, the report isn’t spelling out that. It is just saying, That it is just unfair that ones actually calling is paying taxes, but the ones using mobile data is not. However, isn’t the Telecommunication Companies already paying huge level of taxes on their profits of every sale of airtime? So now just topping it off by adding taxes on Social Media Apps and on Mobile Money? Also the VAT on the Airtime as well?

You have the tax on the airtime, tax on the profits on the airtime; you will have tax on the usage of social media and mobile money. Meaning the state gets revenue from nearly all aspects of usage of the phones. Soon you cannot open anything without withdrawing money from your account as the state is billing you extra for the top services. They are calling this “over the top service” sort of like all the benefits the Members of Parliament has and is billing on the Republic.

Therefore, reading this report, that no one questioned it or had any concern, that no one said anything or looked into the amount of usage and the cost on the cell-phone user. Neither, the added cost on the basic household for any of the new taxes. Show a unpleasant disregard for the hardships of the citizens in question. You cannot expect to be enlighten on 9 pages of a report, you cannot, because your not digging deep into a problem or a situation on a 4 page brief. Your just touching the subject matter and disregarding the issues at hand. The Parliament has recklessly added this taxes, as the President ordered in his letter. The letter from 12th March 2018 dubbed “Re: Lack of Seriousness in Tax Collection”. As they are just following his words and not considering any implications. That is what is bugging me.

If these was serious MPs who cared about the constituents and the citizens in general, before imposing taxes, they would see what estimates and who would be hit. Secondly, what it would do with quality of life and consequences for the poorest of the Republic. That is if they cared about that. Apparently, they don’t, because they are just whistling after the President and his every whims.

The people should be insulted by their MPs and their lack of understanding, their lack of concern. They should be ashamed to have this sort of people representing them. That they cannot have any of these following government bodies to do, due diligence on the amendment:

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MICT).

All of these should have delivered some sort of report and proper framework, the actual costs and the implications of these taxes on Mobile Money and Social Media Tax. However, the didn’t do that, because they don’t care.

Neither did URA or MoFPED. They just didn’t care to put in the work and show the reality of these proposals. They are just blindly following the blind, aka the President. That is what they do and people have to suffer because of it. Paying much more for service, being invoiced as long as they have the possibility to use the services. That is what the Exercise Duty does, that is what the state do to its citizens. Peace.

Kenya International Freight & Warehousing Association letter to KPA: “Re: Noticing to Port Stake Holders on Empty Containers” (31.05.2018)

Opinion: Trump impose tariffs on Steel & Aluminum from the EU, another proof that the world cannot trust the US anymore!

The world doesn’t need enemies, it already have Trump, President Trump. He doesn’t care and shows no tact, no mercy and no sort of dialogue. That is proven again. Now that he has over night decided to impose tariffs on Aluminum and Steel from the European Union (EU). It is like Trump wants the US to be alone in the world. That is what he is getting closer to every single day.

When your not making sure the friends of United States gets to trade with reasonable tariffs, then who do you let do that? Why does the United States think they are so special that they can hit another continent like nothing. This is just like they pulled out of the Paris Agreement on the Climate, as the US don’t want to part of the global fight against climate change. We also seen the US has pulled out of the Iran agreement, making things worse in the Middle East. That is done while the US Embassy was moved to Jerusalem and weapons delivered to Saudi Arabia. This is all decisions that makes the world more fragile and hits the nerves of the regions.

Now, the EU is imposed tariffs, which are done because of Trump’s imaginary vision of supremacy, instead he is losing end. As people knows with every day, they cannot trust the United States. Even Angela Merkel said that during April 2018. There is more and more proof, that the world cannot trust Trump and the US Government. It is erratic and unstable, it is a house of cards.

President Trump policies are short-sighted and without vision of consequences. The US will not salvage this industry, this will just make the products made with this more expensive before the industry get better sights and hired more educated people to work in the industry. You cannot just build steel mills over night and nether have the educated engineers like that too. This isn’t making copyrights on random products, this is actually producing and making them.

I don’t think that Trump knows this, he thinks of ancient ways and wants to be Cesar and rule everything without any consequences. But Trump should know that the EU will react to this, they will put reactionary tariffs on products and American goods valued the same as the industries they hit in the EU. So that the different partners are making sure the Americans get to feel it too.

The US should know, that all of this doesn’t make friends, but more people looking at them and mind boggling thinking. The US Government, we cannot trust or really count on. They are just using everyone and making sure the rest is hit. While the US wants to get away without any responsibility. But the reality will hit them, when the EU answers with imposing tariffs on US goods too. That would be a natural reaction. Hopefully hit a nerve with the President and his allies. Since that was what the EU planned in the past to answer it.

Let’s see how this goes. But it is not a good look. Only making things more hostile and letting the world know. The US cannot be trusted, they are misusing their position and will only make the global diplomacy harder. Peace.

Uganda is still not ready for IMF’s PCI!

“The Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) is a non-financing tool open to all members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It enables them to signal commitment to reforms and catalyze financing from other sources. The establishment of the PCI is part of the Fund’s broader effort to strengthen the global financial safety net—a network of insurance and loan instruments that countries can draw on if confronted with a crisis.” (International Monetary Funds – ‘IMF Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) 26.07.2017).

This here is really spelling out the missing dots in the budget and monetary policy wise, as the IMF has concluded a visit, but told that certain aspects are missing. Even explaining that the Republic have to be careful about borrowing money. As the Republic tend to do these days for all sorts of projects and building infrastructure all around the country. However, the IMF isn’t praising Uganda, the IMF is telling what it needs, if they want to be part of the PCI. That is important, because being part of that, then the state will have systems and ways to gain outside sources of funding and also safety mechanisms in the needs of rainy days. Therefore, following this program would be healthy for the economy, but will the National Resistance Movement and President Museveni comply to this? Would they?

“The authorities have made progress in setting economic policy objectives for FY18/19 and the medium-term. Fiscal policy seeks to keep public debt at a sustainable level which requires raising tax collection and prioritizing spending needs, while protecting key infrastructure projects and social expenditures. Monetary policy targets core inflation of 5 percent. Bank of Uganda aims to maintain international reserves at 4 to 4½ months of imports. Structural reforms would focus on revenue mobilization, public financial and investment management, reducing domestic arrears, enhancing financial sector stability and development, and putting in place the remaining elements of the framework for managing future oil revenues. The mission reached agreement on many key elements of a possible 3-year program under the Policy Coordination Instrument, but further progress in some areas is still needed. Once the FY18/19 budget has been approved as agreed, the mission could resume discussions” (International Monetary Funds – ‘International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Concludes Visit to Uganda’ 31.05.2018).

It isn’t the first time the IMF and World Bank says there policies and monetary programs needs changes, needs to be amended and fixed, so it is safer. This is something that always comes back. The NRM are clearly not listening or interested in listening. They are pre-occupied with the handshakes of the State House and the insider trading that they like to do. Not have accountability and transparency, because then all the tools of the shed is in the open. President Museveni doesn’t want his ghosts, his fake projects and his forged paperwork to be in the open. That would hurt his pride and also humiliate him. That is the reality of it all.

Therefore, the state has a long walk ahead still, even with the new revenue sources, as they are not considering the implications yet on the public. Just more revenue for revenues sake, but not how hard the new taxes really will have. They will hurt the public and the poorest the most. Nevertheless, they are not a concern for the state; they are more bargain chips for needed donor funds anyway.

President Museveni will not be interested in opening the books and showing the reality. We know that, therefore the PCI will not introduced shortly, neither will the accountability or transparency change either. It is not in his interest to revolutionize that. Then he would humiliate himself, which he only does to Opposition leaders, not to himself. Peace.

Burundi: OLUCOME – Portant Sur la Corruption qui se Developpe Exponentiellement dans la Quasi Totalite des Domaines de la vie Nationale Sans Que Les Dirigeants Burundais ne Disent Aucun Mot (31.05.2018)

Uganda: The lowest paid civil servants would be hit by the Social Media Tax, up to about 20% of their total yearly salary!

You know that is wrong, when the state is issuing taxes that is insane. This is really banishing the poorest from certain aspects of life. By the time of November 2017, the lowest paid salaries for certain government employees are yearly about 250,000 shillings likes the U8 Local Government Workers. Others are the likes of U7 Primary School Teachers about 380,000 shillings. These are the lowest paid staff in and around in the Republic. Meaning this will be hit by the newly minted taxes that the state has imposed today in Parliament. This being the Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2018. These are on all different aspect of life and on needed services, products that people need, that will all become more expensive.

The reports said this about it!

Parliament has passed the Excise Duty Amendment bill 20l8 by imposing one percent tax on every mobile money transaction and 200 shillings on social media. The tax measures approved by parliament are close to 1 trillion shillings and government argues that they will help in improving the tax base of the country” (Mbarara Sun, 2018).

The approval implies that each person using platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Viber and Skype among others, will be subjected to a daily levy of 200 Shillings while each mobile money transaction will be subjected to a 1 percent excise duty. The government is projecting to collect 284 billion Shillings from the measures” (Open Gate FM, 30.05.2018).

There are also some that has calculated it be costing the citizen up to 70,000 shillings on a given year, as the person has to pay the 200 shillings for the use. That will happen from the 1st January 2019. If that is so. Out of the lowest salary, if your paying the total on the Social Media Tax, you will go from 250k to 180k. That is 28% of the salary paying for being on social media alone. That is the poorest of the poor, the salaries which is usually not on time and they are even not getting by. They are the ones that is closed out of the new services and places for information like the Social Media. This is shutting out the poorest from the Social Media, this is only making sure the elite and wealthy can log-on, but the rest will not afford it.

Who wants to use 20% of their salary to go on Facebook, Twitter, Viber and WhatsApp? Who wants to do that? Will people use the VPN to not show their IP Addresses to still come into the Social Media Accounts without paying for the barrier that the Republic has put forward.

This is really making sure the society and space of voices sounding disconcern on social media and in general on the internet. This is closing the web for the poorest. Taking a bargain of about 20% of their check in big swoop. I just wonder how they will enforce this and how they will monitor all accounts, all the log-ins and the grand issue of technical framework to put in place within the spectrum of 6 months too.

It is not like the same state together with the Mobile Industry was able to roll-out the registered Sim-Cards and whatnot over the last two years. It has been hectic, a charade and a mess. It hasn’t been professional or sincere, there been backpedaling and all sort of fatigue within the system. You cannot say the Sim-Card saga was smooth. Then you look into all the government organizations and the orders, which went back- and forth.

Time will tell how the state will enforce this one, this is not just adding a tax, but also the software and the addition of systems on the Mobile Phones. If they all have to be updated and get agreements for payment walls on the Social Media Apps and such. Will that also be on the Computers and whatnot? What is the legal framework that puts this in? Other than the 200 shillings per day!

We should really get people to address the 70k shillings a year possibly, that is lot of money. For some about 20% of their salary. That is just too much for browsing on their phone and looking at what Maureen made for dinner and what Steve wrote about Mao. But that is just what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) are doing.

200 shillings is really nothing, but when you take the whole piece of the puzzle collectively, just imagine all the other taxes put in this bills too. Are they taking 9 slices of the bread and leaving one behind to the taxpayer. Is that what the state is trying to do? Since they are already just on the Social Media Tax alone on the poorest civil servants and the local government workers who cannot afford to go there, because they have to decide to pay rent, food or school payments. Because when this is becoming this much of the salaries. You know just know this hurts the people in general.

This isn’t funny. This is serious. This is theft of the opportunities for the poorest in society. Peace.

Reference:

Mbarara Sun – ‘Parliament Endorses Tax On Social Media, Mobile Money’ 30.05.2018 link: http://mbararasun.com/index.php/2018/05/30/parliament-endorses-tax-on-social-media-mobile-money/

Opinion: Is the White House for Sale?

This is a question that the Americans should ask themselves? Because, I am wondering as a foreigner, if my Kingdom doled some funds on Jared Kushner or on Ivanka Trump’s bank-accountants. Would  the Foreign policy will change because of that? That is a important paradigm shift from the Trump Administration.

Other, then being supportive of horrific migration policies towards immigrants and the ones who has liven there for generations, because it is only White America who deserves to live in the United States. The rest just living their and squatting there for time being. That is the memo the White House is sending out recently.

However, are the for rent signs on the lawn in front of the White House? Are there ads on Craigslist? Or is there unknown LLC that are in connection with the White House and delegates the newly operations from the Trump Organization abroad. As the Trump Organization and Kushner Companies continues to operate more abroad, getting loans from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. If not getting dozens upon dozens of Chinese Copyrights, while trying to build Hotels and Golf Courses all around the world.

Is this how the arrangements are done now? That you shake hands, trade-off deals with foreigners to companies in connected with the Trump Royal Family and then let-off the hook of the Nation in question. So if the need the US Army, the US Trade or lifting of sanctions, that will be softer after signing of deals with Ivanka or Jared. Because the Foreigners will deliver them a few silver coins, if their sanctions are lifted or trade of state companies get a better deal with the US; Because they gave some little money to the White House Royal Family.

The royal family, which is allowed to be revised over 40 times and as they didn’t follow procedure for their forms. Still to get security clearance and all the perks of the White House. This is happening as they are still enlarging their pockets and trading away their value at the Public Office. They are really playing high stakes with the Republic.

It is like they can buy and trade policies now, the foreign interference is evident and the change of narratives comes quickly, especially if the ones in this Trump Administration gets a pay-off. If there is need in a government agency, if the lobbyist or company needs changes of policies.

Remember pay someone off, especially pay off the Trump Family and relatives, then you get the princess and the whole kingdom. They are easily giving way, as long as the profits are returned and delivered to a random company of the Trump Organization. If it is money laundering or any other operation. As long as the Trump businesses get their cut, they don’t mind, that is what they do.

The White House is for sale, a giant haul sale and the evidence is in every story published, as the days go. I wonder how much does it cost to get them colluding with the Russians? Because surely that had a initial price. Surely, cost more than a box of crisps and a trademark in China. Peace.

Brexit: FYI – Barnier explaining “the Brussels Effect”!

This should be for some a deja vu’ for others, its rewind and for some the same old story. But as long as the Tories and the Her Majesties Government, the United Kingdom have worked upon the withdrawal from the European Union, the UK has come with false prophets and false narratives. The Tories and Prime Minister Theresa May, have either been blindsided or not understood the ramifications of their will. They are departing or divorcing as you will, they will not be in the same sort of relationship after leaving the EU. That is just natural, that isn’t significant. Everyone understands that, especially when the UK want specialized rules and regulations, while picking and mixes as they please. However, there are protocols and regulations, that is how the Union works. So that all parties knows what they are getting and what boundaries the external nations, whose not members has to comply to. That is also natural. Therefore, Michal Barnier has now talked an example recently showing the perspective of the EU towards the Brexit and that should hurt the pride of the British!

The General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR – came into force yesterday. According to the United Kingdom’s position first presented – and published – this week on data protection: ‘The United Kingdom would like its supervisor to remain on the European Data Protection Board, created by the GDPR. It wants to remain in the one-stop-shop. It believes that this is in the interest of EU businesses’. But let’s be clear: Brexit is not, and never will be, in the interest of EU businesses. And it will especially run counter to the interests of our businesses if we abandon our decision-making autonomy. This autonomy allows us to set standards for the whole of the EU, but also to see these standards being replicated around the world. This is the normative power of the Union, or what is often called “the Brussels effect.” And we cannot, and will not, share this decision-making autonomy with a third country, including a former Member State who does not want to be part of the same legal ecosystem as us” (Speech by Michel Barnier at the 28th Congress of the International Federation for European Law (FIDE), Lisbon, 26 May 2018),

That the British should worry about this, because what he is saying, is that UK will not have decision making power or have the influence that they used too. That is because the UK is not longer a member, but acting as a Third Country. All of this has been known, but the UK has acted like they can do as they pleases and act as they want. They can get their will and their dreams, they can pick out of the sky and candy-corn and unicorns will appear within White Hall. As ordered by the DUP and all the others friendly Brexiteers, who expect the world to land in their lap and praise their works.

However, that is not how the world works. Even if the UK thinks so, as they have their empire in mind and think they still rule the world. They are the ones leaving and has to comply to the set of rules, they are not able to change the body or the regulations put in place. They will be less significant and have less of influence on the matters, as they are becoming the outsider and not the insider anymore.

I know that is hard for someone to understand. That is breaching their momentum, that is shaking their world and their whole belief system. Nevertheless, the UK will have to comply as a third country, they are not insiders who has the ability to make decisions for the EU.

Brexit has consequences, they either have to comply or find other partners, they have to follow the standards or be island left alone. That is what Barnier is saying, because Brexit will feel the Brussels effect. Its been known about all along.

It is just the Tories and Theresa May who hasn’t understood the memo. Can someone teach them, before its too late? Peace.

DP Ruto: Your gig is up!

Deputy President William Ruto is one of a kind. The kind that uses fine words and speeches, the ones are defending values, but his actions differs from that. He has finessed the game, using his influence and his value in the system to gain monetary funds. This at a rampant speed, that the check-books cannot recover or even account for the funds. His play-by-play book is made for unaccounted funds and for forging results.

Therefore, a man who has earned a well-fortunate salary in his position, still his wealth over the years has risen astronomically. His houses, his business and his ownership is like a Jeff Bezos of Kenya. The DP has a village called home, own newspapers and whatnot, who knows he has gotten in his hands and pockets. It’s like a giant fountain of money that spiralling in his veins.

He is the guy that praises the rule of law, but orders to not respect the court orders. He is the sort of man who speaks of fighting corruption, but is corrupt as hell. He is the sort of man who speaks of accountability and transparency, while he himself accepts bribes, graft and unaccounted funds in boatloads. He is the man who speaks in twisted tongue, but expect people to speak honest to him.

DP Ruto, we know you now, we know what your up too. We have seen it for years. It isn’t cool anymore, we know that your in your place for one reason, not to serve Kenya, but serve yourself. You are in position to enrichen yourself and your family, not to be representative for Kenya. If it had been so, you wouldn’t be the famous hustler and the famous go-to-get wealthy politician vibe. Because that is true.

We know you own K24, The Star, Karen Homes, Osere flats in Rongai, Major Amaco Insurance, Oseng Properties Limited, Orterter Enterprises Limited, Weston Hotel, 680 Hotel and Uasin Gishu Residence. This you have gotten on your meagre salary. Billions upon billions in property and ownerships of companies, while earning only millions. You cannot make this up. You have also bought a copper and whatnots of cars within your time in office. Therefore, we know you speak, but do financial warfare.

So please, don’t speak ill of corruption, when you’re the benefactor and owner of it. It wouldn’t be like this if your salary and your benefits was sincere, if your role in government and wealth was real, as your eating like there is no tomorrow. Grabbing whatever possession there is and taking it. We see that, as step by step your grabbing ownership of vital plots, of vital news organizations and also producers, which will generate more income. But in the first place, you shouldn’t have the capacity or wealth to be able to get these. Your not earning enough to be here.

So the gig is up. We know you. You can speak those fine words. But we know the reality, the fantasy is all in your mind. We know that and you cannot say otherwise. We know you will, but it is valued as nothing. None. Okay?

Just stop, it is not funny. Peace.